Thursday, September 1, 2011

braided leather headband

A few weeks ago, I did a guest post on how to make this fun leather headband.  I thought I'd share it here on my blog, too.  I'm trying to get my act together for a weekly 52/1 post too, but I thought this would help bide my time a bit. :)




Today, I'd love to show you how to make this headband, inspired by an Urban Outfitters headband.  I love making "knock off" accessories, and this headband was easy to make and I am so happy with the way it turned out.


Let's get started!


Materials:
-leather (or suede, or even strong fabric) scraps that are at least 22" long
-grosgrain ribbon
-1/8" elastic
-scissors
-glue gun
-Fray Check
-tape measure
-needle and thread




1.  Measure your head all the way around (like how your would wear a headband).  Cut the leather into SIX strips, 1/2" wide and the measurement all around your lead long.  My measurement was 22", so I cut six 22"x1/2" strips.



2.  Take three of the strips and stack the ends on top of each other.  Hand sew the ends of the strips together.



3.  Take a clothespin and pin the sewn ends of the strips to something sturdy; I used the back of a chair.  Tightly braid the strips together.  I tried to keep the smooth part of the leather on the top part of the braid, but let just a bit of the underside show.



4.  Braid to the end of the strips, and pin the ends together with another clothespin.



5.  Stitch the ends of the braid together and trim off any excess leather to make the ends even.



6.  Repeat steps 2-5 with the other three strips of leather, resulting in two leather braids.



7.  Stack the ends of the braids together and stitch together.



8.  Repeat on the other ends of the braids.



9.  Cut a 4" piece of elastic.  Stitch one end of the elastic to one end of the braids, then stitch the other end to the other end of the braids.  At this point, I tried the headband on to make sure the elastic was tight enough to fit my head.  If it's too loose, you can always take the elastic off one end and cut the elastic down a bit (or if it's too tight, cut a longer piece of elastic), then reattach it and make sure the headband fits your head.



10.  Cut a 2" piece of ribbon.  Using the glue gun, run a strip of glue along one side of the ribbon.  Glue the ribbon to the end of the braids where the elastic is stitched on, and wrap the ribbon around, gluing the ends of the ribbon on the inside of the headband.


11.  Apply a bit of Fray Check along the unfinished end of the ribbon to prevent fraying.



12.  Admire your trendy, handmade headband!  Urban Outfitters has nothing on you! :)



I am in LOVE with this headband!  I think I'm going to make a bunch more in different colors!  Enjoy!



Linking up at I heart naptime, six sister's stuff, today's creative blog, tatertots and jello, chef in training and boerman ramblings

7 comments:

  1. Love this! Found you through My Yellow Sandbox and so happy to be following you!

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  2. Very Cute. I love headbands and I haven't seen one quite like this before. I would love it if you would stop by and share at the crafty link party going on right now at Lines Across My Face.
    I hope to see you soon,
    Rachel
    http://linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com/2011/09/cure-for-common-monday-7.html

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  3. How fun, it's very cute! Your outfit is also darling! Dropping in from Treasury Tuesday, have a great week!

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  4. This is so cute! Where did you get the leather from? I'm wondering how much you needed to purchase to make one of these?

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  5. I love how the front and back look when they are braided together, it makes it so interesting!

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  6. Love this headband. I could easily drop 15 bux on it if I saw it in the store. Good job!

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